Coaxial

Coaxial Cable

Galaxy is a leading supplier of coaxial cable. Coaxial cables, or RF cables, are typically used in applications when transferring radio frequencies are necessary. Coaxial or RF cables are used in a wide range of applications including broadband CATV, telecommunications, antennae, video, data control and instrumentation.

What is Coaxial Cable?

Coaxial cables are used to transmit signals from one location to another. A coaxial cable is typically referred to by its impedance or RG type, for example, 50 ohms or RG-X type cable. Even though a coaxial cable can be called out using an RG type, the more formal part number includes the mil-spec call out. The mil-spec call out for coaxial cables is Mil-C-17. Mil-C-17 was created to standardize coaxial cables.

Coaxial cables conduct a signal through an inner copper conductor which can be solid or stranded. Surrounding this inner conductor is an insulating layer commonly referred to as the dielectric. This dielectric is often polyurethane or polyethylene. The dielectric material helps maintain consistent electrical properties when in use. Typically the next layer would be the shielding. Then there would be metallic braid or tape shield covering the dielectric. Shielding protects the loss of signal and prevents electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference, (RFI). Lastly, there would be an overall cable jacket which could be one of many different types. The main function of the jacket is protection from the environment as well as additional insulation. Jacket types could include:

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Polyethylene (PE)

Flourinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP)

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Coaxial Applications

Because of their wide range of capabilities, coaxial cables are often chosen for, but not limited to, the following applications:

Cable Television

Radar

Communication

Radio Frequency (RF)

Instrumentation

Antennae

Data Control

Military

Aerospace

WLAN

Cellular and Wireless

Test and Measurement Equipment

Galaxy Differentiators / Advantages for Coaxial Cable

Galaxy can provide all forms of coaxial cable for any application. If the coaxial cable required does not currently exist, Galaxy has the ability to assist in the design and engineering of a custom designed coaxial cable. Galaxy’s wire and cable experts often work with customers to help select coaxial cables that are perfectly suited for specific applications. And Galaxy’s coaxial cable assembly services can be utilized if the coaxial cable is to be built into an assembly.

Features

Galaxy offers coaxial cables that are:

Flexible

Formable

Semi-Rigid

Indoor and Outdoor Rated

Flame Retardant

Plenum Rated

Used for Direct Burial

Materials

Coaxial cable from Galaxy is available with the following materials:

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Polyeurothane (PE)

Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)

Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA)

Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP)

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Tefzel®

Coaxial Cable Technical Specifications

The following is a sample of the coaxial cable Galaxy offers in the following ranges of technical specifications:

Cable Type

Mil Designation

Impedance

Dielectric

NOM OD (IN)

Shield

RG-6

M17/2-RG6

75

PE

0.332

BRAID

RG-8

52

PE

0.405

BRAID

RG-9

51

PE

0.42

BRAID

RG-11

M17/6-RG11

75

PE

0.405

BRAID

RG-58

M17/28-RG58

52

PE

0.195

BRAID

RG-59

M17/29-RG59

75

PE

0.242

BRAID

RG-62

M17/30-RG62

93

ASP

0.242

BRAID

RG-122

M17/54-RG122

50

PE

0.16

BRAID

RG-133

M17/100-RG133

95

PE

0.405

BRAID

RG-142

M17/60-RG142

50

PTFE

0.195

BRAID

RG-178

M17/93-RG178

50

PTFE

0.072

BRAID

RG-179

M17/94-RG179

70

PTFE

0.1

BRAID

RG-180

M17/95-RG180

93

PTFE

0.14

BRAID

RG-195

95

PTFE

0.145

BRAID

RG-213

M17/74-RG213

50

PE

0.405

BRAID

RG-214

M17/75-RG214

50

PE

0.425

BRAID

RG-223

M17/84-RG223

50

PE

0.211

DB BRAID

RG-302

M17/110-RG302

75

PTFE

0.201

BRAID

RG-303

M17/111-RG303

50

PTFE

0.17

BRAID

RG-304

M17/112-RG304

50

PTFE

0.28

BRAID

RG-316

M17/113-RG315

50

PTFE

0.1

BRAID

RG-391

M17/126-RG391

72

NA

0.405

BRAID

RG-392

M17/126-RG392

72

NA

0.475

BRAID

RG-393

M17/127-RG393

50

PTFE

0.39

BRAID

RG-400

M17/128-RG400

50

PTFE

0.195

DB BRAID

RG-401

M17/129-RG401

50

PTFE

0.25

BRAID

RG-402

M17/130-RG402

50

PTFE

0.141

BRAID

RG-403

M17/131-RG403

50

PTFE

0.118

DB BRAID

RG-404

M17/132-RG404

50

PTFE

0.073

BRAID

RG-405

M17/133-RG405

50

PTFE

0.086

BRAID

Terminology Notes

There are various terms used in the wire and cable industry related to this type of cable. They include:

Ohm – The ohm is defined as a resistance between two points of a conductor when a constant potential difference of 1.0 volt, applied to these points, produces in the conductor a current of 1.0ampere, the conductor not being the seat of any electromotive force.

Impedance – the ratio of the voltage phasor to the electric current phasor, a measure of the opposition to time-varying electric current in an electric circuit.

Dielectric – insulator material used in coaxial cables.

Capacitance – The capacitance of a coaxial line varies with the spacing of the conductors, the dielectric constant, and as a result the impedance of the line.

VSWR – Voltage Standing Wave Ratio is a function of the reflection coefficient, which describes the signal reflected back from a connector.